A souvenir shop in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay has removed lettering from its storefront wall, which featured designs nearly identical to MTR station signage, amid concerns over possible trademark and copyright infringement. The MTR Corporation declined to confirm if it requested the action but stressed its commitment to intellectual property protection. The wall had earlier become a viral check-in spot, drawing crowds for photos.
Earlier this month, the wall next to the storefront of Hong Kong Souvenir on Kai Chiu Road in Causeway Bay was transformed into a check-in spot mimicking MTR station designs, with signage nearly identical to those in actual rail stations. It quickly drew photo-snapping crowds and went viral on platforms like RedNote.
However, concerns over possible trademark and copyright infringement led to the removal of the lettering. The MTR Corporation, on Sunday, declined to say whether the move by the Causeway Bay store was at its request.
A spokesman for the rail operator told the South China Morning Post: “The company attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property, which is safeguarded under the law of Hong Kong, and we shall act accordingly in the event of suspected infringement.”
The incident highlights Hong Kong's strict enforcement of intellectual property laws, with MTR actively safeguarding its trademarks and copyrights as the city's metro operator. Store representatives, including Doreen Kong Yuk-foon and Albert So Man-kit, have not immediately responded to inquiries. While the removal has been completed, the event continues to spark public discussion on the boundaries between creativity and infringement.